Is VLM really a "great" marathon?

Just musing really as it seems to be the Holy Grail of marathons for some people and  want to know, is it really "worth it"? (as in getting a Charity place). 

Ran it last year, great experience, but no better than edinburgh was.

Sorry but I think it is.

I don't think it is - I wouldn't do it again. 

I think the fact that it is so hard to get a place makes it seem much more desirable - people tend to value something which is hard to obtain.

Think ts a great day out, good fun, amazing support,

But a great marathon? probably not - too many people to allow many to run well, course (if you took away crowds) is actually not that great and getting away at end can be difficult. On other hand great organisation, very slick.

So a great event but not a purist great marathon IMO

Are there many PBs set at London? It's not too hilly, but then there are 40,000 other runners to get in your way, so not sure how that racks up against others, e.g. Berlin which seems to be a PB favourite for some.

Lots of PBs set at Berlin and London (roughly same numbers of runners take part in both)

No significant "hills" in london. Main challenge is coping with the crowds, starting in right place and not getting carried away.

Definitely worth it. Being one of the 5 World Majors makes it pretty special for a start. The crowds are fantastic and the organisation is second to none. Obviously whether you get stuck in amongst too many other runners and the issue of getting away at the end depends on your starting position/time. I have done it 6 out of the last 7 years. The course is pretty flat and you pass by many of the sights. Turning the corner and seeing the support on Tower Bridge is pretty special as well as the finish in the Mall 

although it was my first one and very hard work, even taking that into account, i didnt really like it. Everyone told me that the atmosphere was great and i would love it but i didnt. Too flat and it all looked the same in the end apart from the last couple of miles. wish i'd taken my ipod.

runnersbeen wrote (see)

Sorry but I think it is.

Sorry - for what? having an opinion?

its a great day out yes and something every runner should do

But and dont get me wrong its been taken over by Charities and people who are walking around to claim they have done London. I am looking at doing Loch Ness next

Put in a London application for old times sake but got rejected.

To be honest apart from elites it turned into a charity parade not a lot to do with running anymore

London is fabulous. The atmosphere makes it fabulous - say what you will about the crowds, the walkers, the crappy bits through Docklands - the atmosphere makes it fabulous.

Definitely! I can't imagine there are many other marathons with such fantastic support - the VLM is pretty much a 26.2 mile party, the atmosphere is incredible.

Of course it has been overtaken by charities and so-called celebs and plenty of people do it who are undertrained etc etc. BUT, if I had the chance I would do it again every year. For me a race isn't necessarily about getting a PB.

Popped an entry in this year - first time - and got accepted! Much the shame I also entered the 2nd Marathon of the North which is the Saturday after lol. Ahhh well. Won't be chasing a PB in either (Will be my 2nd and 3rd mara's) but will be a great week!

can imagine it is similar to the GNR which I enjoy doing as a "fun run" but truly cannot imagine going all out trying to get a PB there, too much hard work forcing your way past people.  Is London the same?  If you are a mid paced runner, are you constantly having to overtake a lot of walkers etc?  

If you're a slow runner, you're constantly having to overtake a lot of walkers. From what I've heard of the GNR, it's very similar.

Way better than GNR as pb potential, IMO.

I love VLM as an event and as a race, but if I had to pick one marathon to do again, it would have to be Boston.